Two day Workshop on “Consumer Protection & Consumer Welfare” December 16-17, 2019

IIPA, J& K Regional Branch in collaboration with Centre for Consumer Studies, IIPA New Delhi organized Two Day Workshop on “Consumer Protection & Consumer Welfare” on December 16-17, 2019. Shri Farooq Khan, Advisor to Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor was the Chief Guest during the Valedictory function. Shri Pandurang K Pole, IAS , Secretary to the Government, Deptt. of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs was the Guest of Honor. Sh Farooq Khan in his valedictory address said that consumer protection and welfare is a vital subject that needs consistent deliberations among the stakeholders especially in the rural areas. He urged all the participants to become the change agents and spread awareness amongst their peers and citizens at large. He also assured that the administration will take initiative of setting up consumer helpline in the UT for speedy redressal of consumers’ grievances. Shri Pandurang K Pole in his address said government is committed to establish appropriate structural mechanisms at the district level in order to ensure that consumers’ interest are protected. Dr. Ashok Bhan, Patron, J&K Regional Branch, IIPA in his presidential address said that there is a need for creating of separate consumer affairs department, setting up of Grahak Suvidha Kendra at district level. He further proposed that IIPA J&K Regional branch can establish Consumer Helpline which can become a nodal agency for redressing consumer grievances. Prof. Suresh Misra, Chair-Professor & Coordinator, CCS, Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi in his introductory remarks said that globalization, liberalization and new technological developments have given rise to consumerism. He shared that at National Consumer Helpline around 75,000 complaints are received on monthly basis. He emphasized that there is need for better protection mechanism and he is hopeful that Consumer Protection Act, 2019 through its new provisions will deal with new challenges. During the two days the experts included Sh. Jatinder Singh, Director, FC & CA, Jammu; Dr. Sapna Chadah, Assistant Professor, CCS, IIPA; Sh. M Y Kichloo, SSP (Security Wing); Sh Pankaj Magotra, Commissioner, JMC; Sh Manoj Prabahakar, Deputy Controller, Department of Legal Metrology; Sh Sanjiv Kumar, Dy. Commissioner, Food Safety, Jammu; Ms. Neha Kumari, Scientist ‘C’ BIS; Sh H S Verma, Secretary to Ombusdman, RBI; Adv. Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad, J&K High Court. Prof Alka Sharma, Director, Seminars, IIPA presented the formal welcome address, Er. J B S Johar, Vice-Chairman, IIPA presented the formal vote of thanks, Dr. Anil Gupta, Joint Secretary, IIPA coordinated the event while Ms. Swati Vijay conducted the proceedings of the workshop. Over 125 participants from various department including General Administrative Department, J&K Police, Legal Metrology Deptt., J&K Health Deptt. Tourism, Cooperative, Housing Board, JMC, Food Safety Deptt. Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Jammu J&K Bank Ltd., Education Deptt. MED RBI, PWD, PHE Deptt., various Nursing Homes, PDD, Crime Branch, SKPA Udhampur participated in the workshop.